Sankofa Mentoring Program
York Region African Canadian Rites of Passage
“Bridging the Past with the Present …Navigating the Present into the Future”
Summary of the Proposed Initiative:
The Sankofa Mentoring Initiative is a comprehensive three tier life-skills, civic responsibility, issue exploration curriculum-based-program that is rooted in an African-centered Rites of Passage process (The 7 Principles .. The Nguzo Saba)
1. Unity
2. Self-Determination
3. Collective Work and Responsibility
4. Cooperative Economics
5. Purpose
6. Creativity
7. Faith
*Plus) Self-Respect
Answering the following four Questions;
1. Who am I?
What values, history traditions and cultural precepts do I recognize, respect and continue.
2. How did I become who I am?
What Influence, events, people, experiences have shaped me?
3. Am I who I think I am?
To what extent do I understand, internalize, employ and reflect the cultural authenticity of my people? To what extent do I possess and self-consciously apply the enduring and permanent cultural standards and meaning which measure the “being” and becoming of Black people in terms of our cultural substance and concrete conditions?
4. What’s my life’s purpose?
Why am I here , and what is my life contribution to my family , my community , my African heritage, the world.
With the following programming components:
- Mentoring in clusters, job-shadowing, community engagement projects, tutoring, a parent support group, and a multimedia training segment.
- Retreats and excursions are seamless components of the initiative in order to further develop the African-centered rites of passage experience of all participants and mentors (e.g. their ethno-cultural, spiritual, mental, physical well-being) along with vital life changing lessons concerning environmental stewardship, along with civic, communal and socio-economic engagement.
Outcome Streams of the Initiative
1. Employment / entrepreneurship;
2. Educational achievement;
3. Civic engagement / leadership; and
4. Building a strong cultural identity.
Mission
The Sankofa Mentoring Initiative will foster and/or nurture positive youth outcomes in the areas of emotional well-being, social development, cultural awareness, health and safety, and education through mentoring, life-skills development, and tutoring, job-shadowing, civic involvement and project development.
Objectives:
• To promote positive social and emotional development through nurturing relationships between mentors and mentees.
• To enhance participants’ sense of self, self-confidence, enhance Self-efficacy and cultural heritage and ancestry through in depth life skills sessions, forums, discussions, activities, and excursions
• To promote matters of health and safety by exposing and addressing the dire consequences of delinquent/anti-social behaviours.
• To improve familial relationships by providing programming for parents/guardians/foster caregivers.
• To provide program participants with the means for self-expression and skill development through multimedia training (e.g. filming, scripting, editing, producing, and promoting a documentary from start to finish)
• To improve academic performance of youth/students enrolled in the program.
• To expose students to numerous and diverse career options through weekly career cluster workshops and field trips/job-shadowing opportunities.
• To engage youth in civic activities to promote their understanding of the local/global community that they are a part of, and inherit challenges we all face (e.g. environmental responsibility vs. economic development; socio-economic imbalances and the plight of the disadvantaged etc.).
* Engaging mentors and families to demonstrate that “It takes a village to raise a good child”
Targets:
The initiative will operate out of two locations; one in the City of Vaughan and the other in the City of Markham. Both cities along with Richmond Hill represents 80% of the African Canadian population within the region. In other words, the program will operate concurrently in two locations with the oversight of a program coordinator and a program facilitator. The program will target a minimum of 40 participants (20 at each location) each year to a maximum of 25.
Cross-sectorial collaboration:
The Sankofa Mentoring & Life-skills Initiative relies on the seamless cross sectorial collaboration between:
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) the Lead Organization for
The Sankofa Mentoring Initiative relies on the seamless cross sectorial collaboration between:
1. York Region District School Board (YRDSB),
2. York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB),
3. York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS),)
4. , 360 Kids and
5. Kinark Child and Family Services.
6. BFCN
7. York Regional Police ( ACCIN)
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC As the lead organization,) will provide stewardship over the financial, administrative and quality assurance elements of the project and all requirements and directives identified by the Ministry.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC)
• Foster, lead, facilitate and oversee the visioning, development and administration of all aspects of the Sankofa Mentoring & Life-skills Initiative in close consultation/collaboration with youth in particular and all stakeholders in general.
• Facilitate and oversee the effectiveness of the Collective Impact and Cultural Identity (CI2) Approach
• Foster, sustain and lead the steering committee for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• Coordinate and oversee the development and delivery of all aspects of the initiative
• Foster, coordinate and oversee the research and evaluation process of the initiative
• Be inclusive of and responsive to all stakeholders—especially the voices of youth and parents
• Oversee the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact.
• Provide non-identifying information (data) as it concerns the agreed upon/shared indicators of success as identified by all partners
York Region District School Board (YRDSB) will provide the expertize of its senior research staff to research and evaluate the initiative by actively tracking its progress and apply all imparted learning in real time with regards to:
• The impact of the initiative on the outcomes for Black children, youth and their families; and
• The effectiveness of the Collective Impact and Cultural Identity (CI2) Approach.
• A Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• Provide administrative support (e.g. IT support, AV support, data collection and analysis)
• Provide space for the program to convene (20-25 youth once per week)
• Provide Job-shadowing opportunities for youth
• Participate in the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact.
• Provide non-identifying information (data) as it concerns the agreed upon/shared indicators of success as identified by all partners
York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB)
• Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• Provide administrative support (e.g. IT support, AV support, data collection and analysis)
• Provide space for the program to convene (20-25 youth once per week)
• Provide Job-shadowing opportunities for youth
• Participate in the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact
• Provide non-identifying information (data) as it concerns the agreed upon/shared indicators of success as identified by all partners
York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• If required, provide space for the program to convene (20-25 youth once per week)
Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)
• Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• Provide tutoring services and support for program participants
• Participate in the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact.
• Provide non-identifying information (data) as it concerns the agreed upon/shared indicators of success as identified by all partners
360 Kids
• Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• Deliver life-skills workshops (e.g. pre-employment workshops, financial literacy workshops, multimedia workshops, etc.)
• Provide remedial support for youth in the program (e.g. anger management counselling, housing, etc…)
• Provide access to your recreational facilitates (e.g. music studio, basketball court, etc…)
• Participate in the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact.
• Provide non-identifying information (data) as it concerns the agreed upon/shared indicators of success as identified by all partners
York Regional Police:
• A Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• Refer and/or encourage YRP members, who are a part of the ACC / ISN, to be mentors within the program.
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
• Deliver life-skills workshops (e.g. community safety, emergency response methods (e.g. CPR, First Aid, etc.) etc.)
• Provide some form of administrative support or counsel (e.g. IT support, AV support, data collection or analysis, etc.)
• Provide Job-shadowing opportunities for youth, such as tours of your facilities and where possible, administrative job-shadowing opportunities (e.g. shadowing an IT or AV personal, an accountant, a graphic designer, etc.)
• Participate in the development, collection and analysis of agreed upon/shared indicators of success in order to measure the progress of the initiative towards enhancing the project and its expected outcomes/impact.
Kinark Child and Family Services
• Steering Committee member for the initiative (3-4 meetings per year for 3 years)
• A referral source to the life-skills mentoring program (refer youth to the program who would benefit from it)
Assist with the provision of services and supports for youth with complex needs and their families (e.g. youth mental health, youth justices:
Evaluation:
Logical Framework
Inputs Outputs Outcomes Impact
1) 40 Youth paired with mentors 16 mentors (2 mentors per cluster of 5 youth) Positive relationships developed Trusted confidant, advisor &
values coach
Personal goal setting Positive
Development
2) Cultural identity awareness program Ancestral roots and history
understood
Equipped with new empowering story
Self-discovery
Cultural identity and community connection
3). Anti-social behavior prevention workshops and
presentations Adaptation to social mores Civil society connection
4) Positive parenting training sessions Improved parent/child
relationships
Confident parental interaction with public services eg. CAS, Board of Ed. Strengthened families
5) Multi-media theory and practical training course Work ethic and discipline developed
Marketable skill acquired Improved employment prospects
6)Homework clubs and subject specific academic improvement assistance Improved academic performance in school Post-secondary prospect
7) Career counseling and training including job shadowing experience Understanding of career requirements Career path and strategy developed
8) Civic s studies including, environment,
economics and social issues
Deeper understanding of local & global issues Socially engaged citizens
Indicators Indicators Data sources
1) Mentors recruited, 1) positive development in Mentor application
Assessed, and screened. Mentees paired with mentors
2) # sessions held
‘Seven principles’ learned
3) # sessions with counselors, legal experts
and law enforcement officers
4) # Training sessions for parents held
5) # hours of training completed
Assigned media project successfully completed
6) # hours spent with volunteer educators
7) # workshops held, field trips and job shadowing sessions arranged mentees, emulating positive traits in mentor
2) Self-respect and self confidence
3) Demonstrated positive change in attitude and behavior
4) More active involvement in child’s education and social wellbeing
5) Ability to complete a documentary from start to finish
6) High school graduation
7) Career path and strategy developed
8) Mature civic minded person interviews and
screening
Progress reports
Attendance records
School reports
Measurements of all participants, start, midway, and end
of program
Participant surveys
YORK REGION ALLIANCE OF AFRICAN CANADIAN COMMUNITIES
www.yorkregionaacc.ca Email: info@yorkregionaacc.ca
Mailing Address:
1070 Major Mackenzie Dr. Richmond Hill Ontario PO Box 5042 L4S 0B7